Dead Rising was one of the early successes on the Xbox 360. Once the demo hit Xbox Live Marketplace, it was clear that the Dawn of the Dead homage was going to become a franchise. But rather than work on an Xbox 360 sequel, the Japanese developer has decided to produce a Wii spin-off using the Resident Evil 4 engine. The result is a more hands-on action experience, as you fight your way through Willamette mall using a Wii Remote and nunchuk. We were lucky enough to be offered a hands-on with the new game at Capcom's Leipzig booth, and found it to be an enjoyable, if energy-consuming, experience.

First of all, the Wii controls have been pretty well implemented. While there aren't any new weapons, the emphasis has been placed on the guns rather than hand-to-hand combat. Aiming a gun works exactly as it did in Resident Evil 4, with the remote's trigger used to enter aiming and the A button for firing. The same chairs, baseball bats, and guitars can still be picked up for the personal touch, and you have two methods for attacking. The A button will swing whatever you have in your hands, but you can also shake the Wii Remote if you want a stronger attack. It basically depends on how lazy you feel like being at any given point.

If you manage to stun your opponents with a gunshot or a powerful strike, then you can follow up with a finishing move by waggling the Wii Remote. The same technique works for shaking off a zombie who's trying to take a bite out of you, or if you want to recover from an attack like Adam the Clown's gas balloon attacks. We particularly liked using the baseball bat in the Stun mode, as you can shake the remote to build up a superpowerful strike to send the dazed zombie flying through the air. The comedy weapons also make a return, with footballs, shopping trolleys, and toy light swords making funny but inept ways to take out the zombie hordes.

The Leipzig demo showed off a limited portion of the mall setting from the original game. We got to visit all the familiar locations--the toy store, the music store, and the cafeteria--and it was all reassuringly familiar. In fact, Capcom claims that the entire game will be pretty much exactly the same as the original in terms of story progression and endings. What has changed is that a number of annoying features have been ironed out following player feedback. The save system is now much more regular and occurs at the end of each case. You'll also be able to go away and rescue civilians without receiving a time penalty on the case you're working on. And you'll be able to hold on to more weapons, with up to four slots dedicated to firearms.

The Resident Evil 4 engine looks like the perfect base for Dead Rising on the Wii. It's a shame that there won't be a new storyline to play through, but we think the game is different enough that fans will want to make a return visit to the famous mall. The game is set for release on the Wii in Q4 2008, so expect to see more on Dead Rising: Chop Til You Drop in the coming months." --Gamespot

1UP: There's been some talk from Capcom -- I can't remember if it was you or someone else who said this -- that if there's enough demand for it, a Wii version of Street Fighter 4 could be possible. So where are you with things now? How would you view a Street Fighter game on the Wii -- would you keep it as "Street Fighter 4" or do some sort of "Street Fighter Kids?"

YO: Yeah, it's definitely true that we've had a lot of requests for a port for the Wii. And it's definitely doable. We just don't have any plans for it yet, that's all. If we feel strongly enough that it would sell, I'd imagine we'd do it.

1UP: So is there really any question within Capcom that a Wii version would sell?

YO: Going back to my philosophy for Street Fighter, the game is essentially a tool, not just a unique piece of entertainment. I think of it like chess -- that game can be played anywhere. As long as people want to play Street Fighter 4, it could be on anything -- even this iPhone, for that matter [Points to the iPhone on the table]. It really could be on any platform that could support it. So let's just see what happens.

I assume in the 8 or so years since I've played Warhammer that the Tyranids have been made far less sucky?

That's not the reason I'm excited Foolz. Dawn of War (and the expansions) was a great game, but was always missing the Nids - they were the only major faction that weren't implemented. Having them in there, it's good enough.

What is going on in america? It's like everyone is lining up to take a slice out of a proverbial pie.

edgecrusher said:

Lick my suculent, sweaty balls.

Not unless you wash them first and dust them with scented talcum powder.

gamingeek said:

Ubisoft in Bizaare Monkey Experiment!

by Gamingeek

In an uncommon act of generosity and bravery, Ubisoft have unveiled their latest classic title for the best selling Nintendo Wii console. The experimental game: Monkey Madness allows psychiatric patients, girls and midgets to dress up various apes and monkeys in a litany of outifts. Yves Guillemot described the game at Leipzig today as "Better than eating Monkey poo", when questioned the frisky frenchmen then admitted to having done this in real life.

As a concession to an ever growing cry from hardcore gamers, the developers are adding -in addition to- sailor, firemen and policemen outfits; costumes based on Hard Gay dominatrix outfits, bearded hippy outfits and crotchless pants.

PETA are currently assesing the impact of this game on the Monkey population amid allegations of animal abuse at Ubisoft's Montreal office. Wii owners meanwhile are salivating over this very 'special' game.

So I typed this shit for nothing? Thanks for the comments, I hate you all.

I'm still profoundly disappointed in capcom with this. Why not just make an original game damnit?

ravenprose said:

YO: Yeah, it's definitely true that we've had a lot of requests for a port for the Wii. And it's definitely doable. We just don't have any plans for it yet, that's all. If we feel strongly enough that it would sell, I'd imagine we'd do it.

1UP: So is there really any question within Capcom that a Wii version would sell?

Hoi, GG you are wrong Capcom is making awesome games on the Wii. But they have a new name now, they are called Platinum games. The one that is called Capcom is just an empty shell.

F-ing hell, even Shinji Mikami and Suda, even they who are making a 360/PS3/PC game are still managing to put out that very same title on Wii. There just isn't an excuse given the economics of the situation these days.

foolz said:

Ah, after the Red Alert and HotD trailers the Cold Mountain one didn't really have a chance it? Snore.

The outside shots of the building are fantastic thogh.

Yeah pretty boring trailer. Some parts looked good like some of the building exteriors.

Wrong again, GG. Simple economics will be making Wii exclusive games. It is cheaper than the other two plus the userbase is bigger. So more potential sales for less costs!

Third parties should be making a greater number of games for a lower combined cost and spreading the risk, at least testing what works or not. This two party system of hardcore on one, casual on the other. Or quality here, quick buck there simply has to end. Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 and Twilight Princess make 3rd party games look like some sort of joke on the system.

Whereas last time on GC you at least had games which could rival those titles in quality or production values. BGE or RE4 etc.

Wrong again, GG. Simple economics will be making Wii exclusive games. It is cheaper than the other two plus the userbase is bigger. So more potential sales for less costs!

Third parties should be making a greater number of games for a lower combined cost and spreading the risk, at least testing what works or not. This two party system of hardcore on one, casual on the other. Or quality here, quick buck there simply has to end. Mario Galaxy, Metroid Prime 3 and Twilight Princess make 3rd party games look like some sort of joke on the system.

Whereas last time on GC you at least had games which could rival those titles in quality or production values. BGE or RE4 etc.

Well Capcom is failing hard on the Wii, but al least the Wii is getting de Blob, Fragile, MadWorld (GoTY 09), Deadly Creatures, Little King's Story (GoTY 0, Tenchu 4 (Must buy, just to waggle a cat), Rune Factory Wii and Conduit!